The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners announced a water conservation pilot program that could save 585,000 gallons of water annually. Sloan Valve Co., a manufacturer specializing in plumbing valves and fixtures, has donated 15 hybrid urinals for use in MWRD’s main office.

These units clean the lines behind the trap with a burst of one gallon of water every 72 hours saving 39,000 gallons of water per unit annually.

The MWRD is hoping that the success of this pilot program will encourage the use of the hybrid urinal in businesses and government facilities throughout the area, which would have impacted the 1.4 billion gallons of water treated per day at its seven water reclamation treatment plants.

The hybrid urinal technology was designed by Sloan Valve in an effort to meet growing concerns over water conservation, while at the same time providing an efficient, low maintenance, hygienic and odor-free product.